Opinion: SA youth can change our country’s future – but only with soft skills

Imagine how we could fundamentally shift the future of our country if we had a one-year mandated community service programme for school leavers? Our children will have to go into the community to work at police stations, municipalities, schools, clinics, and other public services this country offers.

There are two compelling reasons this is a good idea: Firstly, it will help them understand the realities of what’s happening on the ground, what people are dealing with, and what they are experiencing on a daily basis. And hopefully, this will drive them to come up with solutions to some of the problems we face in society.

READ MORE: We must do more to close the inequality gap

Secondly, I think it’s important that we leave our bubble and interact with people who aren’t exactly the same as us and who live in different communities. This will foster an understanding of different cultures and nuances and hopefully lead to the formation of new relationships.

What does this have to do with education, you might ask? Everything. The skills learned during this community service—empathy, resilience, patience, and respect—are soft skills and are increasingly valued in the business world. I would also argue that these so-called “soft skills” should be positioned as critical life skills, and children should be learning these—and their inherent value—from a much younger age.

This is why, at SPARK Schools, we take active citizenry very seriously. Our scholars learn persistence, service, kindness and responsibility as part of our core values. These skills are essential to nurturing scholars who will shape society for the better in the future and be ready for the new world of work.

READ MORE: Why are critical skills more critical than ever before

According to Harvard University research, 85% of work success comes from having well-developed soft and people skills. In a competitive job market, these skills are highly prized. Deloitte’s research shows that jobs requiring intensive soft skills are expected to grow 2.5 times faster than other job types. By 2030, it is predicted that 63% of all jobs will be comprised of soft skills roles.

For me, the fundamental reason for suggesting this is that it’s going to take a child to raise a village. When I talk about a child, that child is you, that child is me, and that village is South Africa. So, we need everyone engaged with community service for a year post-school to raise our village.

As we observe World Youth Skills Day (July 15) with the theme “Youth Skills for Peace and Development” this month, the twin ideas of nation-building and learning future skills blend seamlessly into this notion.

The day highlights the crucial role that young people play in peacebuilding and conflict resolution efforts. South Africa, like the rest of the world, faces a multitude of challenges, such as violence, persistent economic inequality, and increasingly negative online environments, that threaten our children’s future.

It’s crucial to equip our youth with the necessary skills to foster a culture of peace, nurture responsible global citizens, and promote sustainable development to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable future for all. Community service will do that, and at the same time, our young people will bring on board the critical skills they need in the world of work.

By Stacey Brewer

Co-founder and Group CEO of SPARK Schools